Fathom4 Opah fish cooler bag for salmon and other shorter game fish. Insulated to hold ice up to 4 days. Perfect for fishing in Alaska and for camping.

Fish Species Along The Alaskan Coast

Alaska is a place of wonder. Everything from the greenery to the wildlife shows such variety. Here are some of the many fish species you can encounter while on the waters in Alaska!

(pic: Western Native Trout Initiative)

Cutthroat Trout

After spawning in freshwater systems during the summer months, adults and juveniles move out to the ocean. They feed upon other fish species. Fished for recreationally. 
(pic: Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker)

Pink Salmon

After hatching, juveniles move out to the coast. After growing to a year old, adults move back into freshwater systems to spawn. 
(pic: My Alaskan Fishing Trip)

Chum Salmon

Move out to saltwater after hatching. Do not return to spawn until 3-5 years of age. Fished for recreationally.
(pic: Wild Salmon Center)

Coho Salmon

After hatching in freshwater, juveniles stay in estuaries and rivers up to 4 years before moving out to ocean waters. 
(pic: My Alaska Fishing Trip)

Rainbow Trout

Juveniles remain in freshwater systems up to 4 years. Annually, adults migrate to streams to spawn and return to the ocean. 
(pic: My Alaska Fishing Trip)

Sockeye Salmon

Remain in freshwater up to 4 years before moving out to the ocean for up to 3 years. Return to freshwater to reproduce. 

 

 

(pic: Alaska Fly Fishing Goods)

Chinook Salmon

Fingerlings stay up to a year in freshwater before moving to brackish waters and then the ocean. Adults return to reproduce after a period of 1-5 years. 

 

(pic: Fishwest.com)

Dolly Varden

Split between entirely freshwater and saltwater thriving and freshwater reproducing. Fished for commercially and recreationally.

(pic: Alaska Outdoors Supersite)

Pacific Cod

Vitally important commercially targeted species. Very migratory and have plentiful spawns due to females producing up to 6 million eggs annually. Also accompanied by the less common Saffron Cod. 

(pic: Tradex Foods Inc)

Rougheye Rockfish

Mostly live in solitary unless young in age. Can live up to 205 years. Grow up to 3.2 ft.

 

(pic: Mexican-Fish.com)

Silvergray Rockfish

Primarily schooling and can take 18 years to reach adulthood. Lifespan of approximately 80 years. Fished for commercially and recreationally. 

(pic: Vic High Marine Biology)

Copper Rockfish

May be found in small schools. Known to occupy dens of octopi in rocky structure. 

(pic: Riptidefish)

Dark Rockfish

Typically found in schools in kelp forests. Can live up to 70 years. Fished for commercially and recreationally. 

(pic: NOAA Fisheries)

Yellowtail Rockfish

Very common to be in massive schools. Found throughout water column. Live up to 65 years. 

(pic: Baranof Fishing Excursions)

Quillback Rockfish

Known to be in small groups or alone. Protective of territory which can take of a wide range of characteristics. Live up to 95 years. 

(pic: State of Alaska)

Black Rockfish

Seen in tide pools when young. Active when older in deep water and at the surface. 

(pic: Glacier Bay Sportfishing)

China Rockfish

Solitary in nature and extremely territorial. Found on rocky bottoms. Can live up to 80 years. 

(pic: Angling Unlimited)

Yelloweye Rockfish

One of the largest species of rockfish that can live up to 150 years. Produce up to 2.7 million eggs per year. 

(pic: OceanLamb)

Dusky Rockfish

Found at depths up to 2200 ft. Stay relatively small and live up to 76 years. 

(pic: Angling Unlimited)

Sablefish

One of the most important prey species for larger predators. Targeted commercially and recreationally with a lifespan over 110 years. 

(pic: Alaska.org)

Lingcod

Bottom-dwelling in solitary or small groups. Consistent breeding characteristics with males protecting egg clusters, often in the same location year after year. 

(pic: Tradex Foods)

Atka Mackerel

Commonly preyed upon fish in reefs. Essential to ecosystem and food chain

(pic: Oregon Marine Reserves)

Red Irish Lord

Typically motionless on bottom of rocky structure. Can take up octopus dens. Both males and females guard eggs during spawning. 

 

(pic: Mexican-fish.com)

Pacific Staghorn Sculpin

Very hearty species for all salinity levels. Often found in tidepools along shore. hide entire body in sand, exposing just their head. 

(pic: iNaturalist)

Great Sculpin

Live in wide range of habitats. Can tolerate brackish water and is often preyed upon by larger fish.

(pic: Coastal Fisheries Ecology Lab)

Crested Sculpin

Slow swimming close to bottom and is found at depths up to 700ft. Part of the Sea Raven family. 

(pic: Seattle Aquarium)

Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker

Typically found near the shoreline. Have modified pelvic disks to adhere to various structures to avoid current. 

(pic: iNaturalist)

Arctic Shanny

Bottom dwelling over a large range of structure types. Found at depths up to 300 ft. Can grow to reach 5 ft. 

(pic: iNaturalist)

Bering Wolffish

Found in various different structures up to 300 ft. Predatory with incredibly strong jaws. Teeth to eat invertebrates. 

(pic: Pier Fishing in California)

Wolf-eel

Commonly found in rocky substrates and reefs. Lifespan up to 28 years. Can be seen living in couples. 

 

 These make up for some of the fish you may come across, but salmon and rockfish are not all that Alaska has to offer. In our coming blog, we will highlight some of the many flounder species that call the state home!

 

 

 

 

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